So, it's time to ask the Christmas Spirit question.

You know: It's only the second week in November, are you there yet or are you still bah-humbugging?

Over at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, the holidays have definitely arrived with "Holly Jolly Christmas," a musical revue hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Claus, which opened Thursday.

For choreographer Amy McCleary and director Ty Stover, the Christmas spirit is here and not a bah-humbug is in sight.

McCleary gets nostalgic when she thinks about the holidays.

"It takes me back to Christmas with my family when I was a kid, and it's been a while since I had that family Christmas, so I get a little teary," she says.

Like a lot of theater people, McCleary has often had to work during the holidays and so couldn't make it home.

"I never felt sad about it because you're doing something you love and there's something about putting a show together that makes it feel like a family," she says.

But this year, McCleary will have that family Christmas at home in Florida.

For Ty Stover, the director of the show as well as its co-creator, with the Dutch Apple's music director, J.R. McAlexander, Christmas spirit is not a part-time thing.

"I never leave the Christmas spirit," he says. "There's a quote in the show; 'The secret of Christmas is not the things you do at Christmas, but the things you do all year through.' I try to live that way."

Hey, when you actually are Santa Claus, the spirit comes naturally.

Stover has been Santa Claus in his hometown of Indianapolis and across the country for years.

He's played him on stage many times, at tree lightings, community gatherings, parties and yes, shopping malls.

Even then, his Christmas spirit didn't flag.

"I love it," he says with a jolly laugh.

McCleary, Stover and McAlexander came together — via e-mails and phone calls — to create "Holly Jolly Christmas" back in 2006. It's also played at Dutch Apple's sister theaters in Florida and Arizona.

"J.R. was in Arizona, I was in  Indianapolis and Amy was in Florida," Stover explains.

"When Ty and J.R. were building the show, they were always very communicative with me," McCleary says.

"She was integral in creating the piece," Stover says, explaining that decisions about a dance number would shape the arrangement of a song, the costumes and the mood.

The show features several different sections, each focusing on a different aspect of the Christmas holiday.

"There is Christmas around the world; Christmas at home; Christmas through the eyes of a child, with lots of toys coming to life and tap dancing; a swing Christmas from the 1950s that is a nod to all those old TV holiday specials," Stover says. "And the nativity scene is done with reverence and grace."

McCleary choreographed a ballet number for the nativity scene. And tap dancing reindeer bring the show to a happy and festive close.

"I get to do so many different styles of dance,it's great," she says.

The Clauses serve as hosts and they often provide plenty of laughs with their banter.

"They've been married for a long time — about 300 years, so they poke and prod each other," Stover says. "And there will be plenty of local references in their banter."

The songs are a mixture of familiar, little known, old and new, religious and secular.

"There really is something for everyone," Stover says. "I can even promise the dads who would rather be watching the game, they'll be something for you."

"Holly Jolly Christmas"

Opened Tues. Cont. through Dec. 23

Various days and times

$49 adults, $22 students 13-18

$18 children 3-12

Show only: $25 adults, $16 children

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre

510 Centerville Road, 898-1900
www.dutchapple.com